The South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) on Monday accused the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) of impeding efforts to remove illegal checkpoints along major highways in Western Bahr el Ghazal and Western Equatoria States, as directed by the government.
The accusation follows recent clashes between joint government security forces and SPLA-IO forces in Western Equatoria and Western Bahr el Ghazal, escalating tensions between the two military factions amid the country’s fragile security situation.
South Sudan has yet to fully integrate and unify its army as outlined in the 2018 revitalized peace agreement.
SSPDF spokesperson Major General Lul Ruai Koang made the allegations during a press conference at the SSPDF headquarters in Juba. He reported that four SSPDF soldiers had been killed, with 18 others wounded, while attempting to dismantle the illegal checkpoints in Western Bahr el Ghazal and Western Equatoria.
“The SPLA-IO obstructed the removal of illegal checkpoints along the Tambura-Wau Road, which led to clashes after they ambushed our forces at various locations. The SSPDF had no intention of engaging in combat, but we were forced to defend ourselves,” Lul said.
He explained that on January 2, 2025, a platoon from Division Six of the SSPDF, which had recently returned from a mission with the East African Community Regional Forces in the Democratic Republic of Congo (EAC-RF), was assigned to remove the illegal checkpoints along the Tambura-Wau Road. The mission began on January 4, and by January 5, the forces reached Bou Bridge, supported by a mounted Toyota Land Cruiser, he added.
“On January 14, our forces were ambushed between Bou and Nagero, resulting in one soldier’s death and three others being wounded. The same day, we managed to reach Bou. On January 15, while patrolling from Bou to Wau, we were ambushed again, and one soldier was killed,” Lul said.
Lul further detailed that on January 19, the commander of Division Six Infantry arrived to oversee the checkpoint removal along the Bou-Wau road. The convoy set out on January 21 but fell into another ambush near Refeale, leaving two servicemen wounded. Despite the setback, he said, the mission continued, and the forces reached Wau later that day.
“On January 29, the SPLA-IO launched two attacks on our position in Bou, both of which were repelled by the EAC-RF and Division forces. On February 2, a logistics convoy was ambushed near Tambura and Babala Payam, resulting in the deaths of three soldiers and 11 others wounded from both Division 6 and the EAC-RF,” Lul said.
He added that on Sunday, February 9, the SPLA-IO ambushed vehicles carrying logistics to Bou, located just 10 miles from Tambura. He pointed out that no casualties were reported on the SSPDF side. The total number of casualties from January 14, 2025, to date stands at four SSPDF soldiers killed and 18 wounded, according to Lul.
“The SSPDF in Western Equatoria continues to resist the SPLA-IO’s obstruction of the order to remove illegal checkpoints and open the Yambio-Wau Road. Our forces are engaged to prevent further ambushes,” Lul stated.
Meanwhile, on Sunday, Major General Majok Tawal-Tawal, a senior SPLA-IO commander in Western Bahr el Ghazal, spoke to Radio Tamazuj and called for an end to attacks on both his forces and civilians. He emphasized the need for dialogue and understanding between the SSPDF and SPLA-IO in Western Equatoria and Western Bahr el Ghazal States.
In a separate development, the SSPDF on Monday accused the National Salvation Front (NAS), led by General Thomas Cirilo, of attacking civilians in Kajo-Keji County, Central Equatoria. It said the attack resulted in the deaths of two children and the displacement of civilians.
SSPDF Spokesperson Major General Lul Ruai Koang reported that on Sunday morning, NAS forces attacked an SSPDF position in Jalimo village, Kajo-Keji County, killing three soldiers.
“At around 6 a.m. on February 9, NAS forces launched a surprise attack on our position in Jalimo village, Kongapo Two Payam, Kajo-Keji County. The attack resulted in the deaths of three SSPDF soldiers, two civilians being wounded, and two children from the same family being burned beyond recognition in a house that was set on fire. I have their photos,” Lul said.
NAS spokesperson Suba Samuel could not immediately be reached for comment.